Nr Brantome (Dordogne) - Superbly..

An outstanding example of a top quality renovation project, this beautiful country home has been created using local materials and skilled artisans. It occupies a tranquil setting in a hamlet of just three houses which, along with their outbuildings, were originally built at the heart of a thriving vineyard.

Now surrounded by open countryside, woodland and lakes, this property offers generously proportioned accommodation with four bedrooms and with two barns that could now be developed to create separate cottages. The property oozes charm and character as the sensitive renovation has made the most of the lovely stonework and exposed beams that formed the structure of the original house.

In addition to the evident craftsmanship that has gone into this property, the owners have been careful to pay attention to the environmental impact of the property. Sheep's wool insulation has been used extensively and, along with the wood burning central heating system and double glazed windows, this has resulted in an excellent energy and carbon emissions assessment. Three underground cisterns have also been installed to harvest rainwater for the garden.

A huge oak doorway greets visitors as they enter the property via the magnificent Entrance Hall which has a beautiful cherry wood staircase that has been hand made from a fallen cherry tree found in the grounds. Off the Entrance Hall is a Utility Room and Larder which also serves as a useful boot room.

The Dining Kitchen is equipped with a range of bespoke, hand crafted oak units which serve to house an electric oven and a gas hob. At the heart of the Kitchen however is the wood burning 'Rayburn' range cooker which also provides the power behind the central heating system and heats the domestic hot water.

An inner hallway leads through to the Dining Room and Lounge, both of which have French Windows opening out into the west facing garden. The Lounge also features a 14kW wood burning stove to provide additional comfort on the cold winter nights.

Off the Lounge is a Study, a room which was originally a kitchen in the old property and features both an old stone sink and a stone fireplace (with wood burning stove) which includes a stone engraved with the date of 1804, believed to be when the fireplace itself was first installed. This room has an external doorway into the garden.

Climbing the staircase from the Entrance Hall takes you to a splendid Galleried Landing, off which is the first of the Shower Rooms. The Master Bedroom covers an impressive 36m2 - in some properties, this would be as much as you would find over three bedrooms! It has useful built in storage and three windows which flood the room with natural light to enhance the beautiful wooden floor and huge, exposed beams.

Two further good sized double Bedrooms are found in this part of the house whilst the landing extends through to a self contained guest suite, with a Bedroom, Dressing Room and Ensuite Shower Room featuring another original stone sink.

Attached to one side of the house is the first of two large barns. This one is currently used as a carpentry workshop and has a concrete floor. The second barn is detached from the property and provides good storage and under cover parking space.

The gardens wrap around the property on three sides with lawns, raised beds and mature trees. A single vine grows up the wall of the barn, paying homage to the property's history as a vineyard in the days before the phylloxera epidemic destroyed the vineyards in this area in the late 19th Century.

Whilst it provides a feeling of being in the middle of nowhere, the property is actually just 5 minutes from the road between the bustling medieval cities of Angouleme (50 minutes drive) and Perigueux (35 minutes). Close by is the attractive town of Brantome (10 minutes), the so called Venice of the Perigord. The nearest airport is in Bergerac (75 minutes) whilst Limoges provides an excellent alternative (85 minutes).

Agency fees of 6% are included in the asking price.
Honoraires d'agence de 6% TTC inclus, charge acquereur.
Richard Morford, Agent Commercial, Siret No. : 752 627 984 00012
Tel : 06 88 20 70 48 E-mail richard@allez-francais.com